If you’re like me and are taking the October Unprocessed Challenge yet were not sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place for unprocessed recipes.  A friend and I were chatting about this challenge and we both commented that our first few days consisted of a lot of apples and nuts but if you take some time to plan there is so much more deliciousness to be had with unprocessed foods!  I spent some time this week meal planning and I thought it may be useful for more than just myself. I looked through my recipe stash for unprocessed recipes or ones that can easily be made unprocessed with a few substitutions. Here’s what I came up with:

BREAKFAST

Homemade Yogurt (I’m using grass fed organic milk)

Homemade Granola using honey or maple syrup to sweeten

Coconut Granola

Raw Oats with grass fed milk or homemade almond milk

Homemade Muesli with grass fed milk or homemade almond milk

Hazelnut Pecan Fruit Crisp

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (use homemade almond or pecan milk and natural sugar)

Egg Muffins with Kale and Peppers

Steel Cut Oats with Berries

Maple Bruleed Grapefruit

SNACKS AND SIDES

Peanut Butter and Apples

Apples with unprocessed cheddar cheese. My favorite combo is pink lady and medium cheddar. (find a cheese with only milk, salt, enzymes/rennet on the ingredient list, like Tillamook)

Healthy Artichoke White Bean Dip with carrots

hummus with carrots or cucumber

Raw Cookie Dough Bites

Homemade Apple Sauce (or store bought but avoided any added sugar in recipe or on label)

Spanish Carrots with Fennel and Toasted Hazelnuts

Edamame Hummus

LUNCH

Butternut Squash Soup with Whole Wheat Toast (skip the cream cheese in the recipe)

Kale Salad with quinoa and raw vegetables

Quinoa Salad with Seasonal Vegetables

Quesadillas using unprocessed cheese, vegetables and homemade whole wheat tortillas

Lemon Spinach and Potato Soup

DINNER

Roasted Grape and Walnut Rice Pilaf

Wheat Berry Salad with Dried Cherries, Pecans and Bacon (use bacon with no additive like nitrates or flavorings)

Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Sauce over Whole Wheat Pasta or Farro

Roasted Butternut Squash over Farro with Yogurt Cumin Dressing (use homemade plain yogurt)

Homemade Marinara Sauce over Whole Wheat Pasta or Spinach Pasta and Vegetables

DESSERT

Hazelnut Pecan Fruit Crisp with Homemade Yogurt

Raw Chocolate Truffles with Medjool Dates, Almonds and Chocolate

Vegan Spiced Carrot Cake Cookies (use homemade almond milk)

Banana Peanut Butter Honey Ice Cream

Almond Butter Molten Chocolate Cookies

Raw Cookie Dough Bites

Homemade Oreo Cookies

I hope you too take some time and experiment in the kitchen.  This month should be much more delicious than an apple and fist full of nuts. If you have any unprocessed recipes to share please add your links in the comments section! I’d love to try your ideas.